From bend take the exit off Highway 97 14.8 miles south on Hwy. 97 (3 miles south of Lava Lands Visitor Center), as if you are going to Sunriver, but head east instead. You'll follow an unpaved road for 8.6 miles east on F.S. Rd. 9720, and then 0.7 miles south on F.S. Rd. 9720 950 to the parking area for the Lava Cast Forest. This road is snow-covered in winter.

At the Lave Cast Forest you will be walking through a 6,000 year old lava flow where you will find the casts of ancient trees. The Newberry Volcano to the south spewed hot pahoehoe lava to the Earth's surface, spilling through standing forests. The trees became encased in stone when the lava cooled. What remained were "casts" of the trees, many of which go down several feet below surface level. The surrounding landscape includes molds of the trees, some new plant growth including flowers, Indian paintbrush, and Ponderosa pine trees.

Lava Cast Forest Photo Gallery

View photo gallery of the Lava Cast Forest located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument near Bend, Oregon.

There is a one mile paved self guided interpretive trail with barrier free access. The trail loops through the area where hot molten lava erupted from the northwest flank of Newberry Volcano and engulfed the forest.

The Newberry National Volcanic Monument is located approximately ten miles south of Bend in Central Oregon. Established by Congress in 1990, the monument is managed to preserve for present and future generations the unique geologic landforms and many resources found in the area. Visitors are attracted to the area by the rare formations of cinder cones, lava flows, Lava Cast Forest, caves, lakes, streams and waterfalls. You can get more information on the Newberry National Volcanic Monument and the Deschutes National Forest at the U.S. Forest Service page.

ELEVATION: 5750 feet

FACILITIES: vault toilet, paved Lava Cast Interpretive Trail looks at tree molds

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES: hiking

OPERATED BY: Forest Service

FEE: Recreation Pass Site - Vehicle Permit - $5.00 Day Pass or $30.00 Annual Pass or other valid Recreation Passes

Please note: The Northwest Forest Pass is required at some trailheads on National Forests in Oregon and Washington. These passes are distinct from the wilderness permits. Go to the Recreation Passes & Permits page for more information on the Northwest Forest Pass, including cost and how to get a pass.

Map of parking area and trailhead. View Lava Cast Forest in a larger map

Oregon Hiking Guide Order 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon: Oregon Coast, Columbia Gorge, Cascades, Eastern Oregon, Wallowas from Barnes & Noble now!

Choose an Area in Oregon to Hike

Oregon Coast & Coast Range | Northwest Oregon | Central Oregon Cascades | Southern Oregon | Eastern Oregon | Oregon Hiking Trails

Please note: The expanded Oregon hiking trail information is under construction. Links to descriptions of the trails listed on the links above should be completed by the end of July 2010. Thank you for your patience.

Oregon Hiking Trails

• Central Oregon Amateur Guide to Hiking Gives links to many Central Oregon hiking trails.
• Links and things to do on the Mckenzie River near Eugene, Sisters, and Bend Oregon Has many links on outdoor adventures in the Central Oregon area.
• Hiking in Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho The public lands of Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho provide excellent hiking and backpacking opportunities, from high mountain peaks to desert canyons.
• LocalHikes.com Has great information on hiking trails near major U.S. cities, this link will take you to the Oregon section of their website.
• Day Trails.com Gives information on hiking and other outdoor activities in Oregon.
• TrailsNW.com Gives reviews and directions to several Oregon Hikes.
• Central Oregon Visitors Association Website gives directions to hikes in and near the Bend Oregon area.
• Slackpacker.com Provides organized access to informative Oregon hiking and backpacking websites.

If you find any of these links are no longer active, PLEASE email me and let me know so I can remove them!!

Hiking Books For Oregon

Click the hikers for Hiking Tips

For tips on how much WATER you need click above

Hiking In Palm Springs Disclaimer

Any outdoor recreation can be potentially hazardous, and hiking is no exception. All participants must assume responsibility for their own actions and safety, exercise sound judgment, and be prepared for and seek advice on weather and trail conditions.

Although the authors and publisher of Hiking-in-ps.com ("this site") try to make the site as accurate as possible, they disclaim any liability for accident, loss, injury, inconvenience or other damage that may be sustained by anyone using the information contained on the site.

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